Editorial take: Hilton Honors Surpass
The sweet spot in the Hilton lineup. Gold status gets you free breakfast worth $30-50 per stay, and the free weekend night after spend typically covers a $300+ stay.
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Side-by-side
Hilton Honors Surpass vs Capital One Venture X
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Capital One Venture X from Capital One at $395/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Capital One Venture X is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,238 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the Capital One Venture X first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | Capital One Venture X |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $395 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 75,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,238 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Capital One |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | capital-one |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Hilton Honors Surpass
$150/yr · 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Read the full review
Capital One Venture X
$395/yr · 75,000 miles
Editorial take: Capital One Venture X
The best value premium travel card. $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, 10,000 anniversary miles, and a massive transfer partner list, all for $395. It's hard to beat.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or Capital One Venture X?
- The Capital One Venture X has a public bonus (75,000 miles, worth roughly $1,238), while the Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Hilton Honors Surpass's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Capital One Venture X?
- At $150/yr, the Hilton Honors Surpass is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Capital One Venture X's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and Capital One Venture X?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Capital One) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the Hilton Honors Surpass or the Capital One Venture X first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Capital One Venture X: $4,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.